Skate boot with flexible midfoot section

ABSTRACT

A skate boot or other piece of footwear is provided with a flexible midfoot section that is not rigidly connected to either a sole and/or base of the boot, in order to adjustably tighten around the bottom, sides, and/or top of the wearer&#39;s midfoot to provide arch support and uniform snugness. The midfoot section is in a “hammock” type arrangement while the ball and heel portions of the wearer&#39;s foot rests on the footbed over the respective sole portions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The instant continuation-in-part application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/860,632 filed Apr. 11, 2013, pending, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/622,808, filed Apr. 11, 2012, the entire specifications of both of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear, such as shoes or boots, and, more specifically to footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, having a flexible midfoot section that is not rigidly connected to either a sole and/or base of the boot, in order to adjustably tighten around the bottom, sides, and/or top of the wearer's midfoot to provide arch support and uniform snugness.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional ice skating boots are typically constructed with concave arch portions. The arch portion thus defines an internal or interior arch cavity (i.e., a cavity inside the boot) relative to the wearer's foot, especially in proximity to the foot's arch. That is, when the wearer's foot is placed inside the boot, there is a space or cavity defined between the arch or side of the wearer's foot and the adjacent inside surface of the boot, including an area underneath the wearer's foot. The presence of the arch cavity may be a problem for individuals with any type of feet when skating in conventional boots.

Because typical ice skating maneuvers with ice skating boots require the foot to be able to balance on a point of a rockered skating blade, it is important for the wearer's foot to have constant arch support. This is a special concern for those skaters that have one or both feet that have high arches. The presence of arch cavities in boots cause the skater's foot to collapse into the arch cavity due to the foot's high arch. Needless to say, skating performance would be expected to significantly suffer under these circumstances.

The problem of arch cavities may be due to the trend of conventional skating boots being made from shoe or boot last shapes that are concave through the arch portion of the foot bed or sole, because of the “toe spring” shape needed for walking. Because of these different mechanical conditions being present, the ice skater's foot needs constant support against the arch, and, with an arch cavity being present, the muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments of the foot (especially in proximity to the arch) can become stressed and/or injured as the foot (especially the arch) repeatedly collapses (or attempts to collapse) into this cavity.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide new and improved pieces of footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, for overcoming at least one of the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the general teachings of the present invention, new and improved pieces of footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, are provided.

More specifically, a skate boot or other piece of footwear is provided with a flexible midfoot section that is not rigidly connected to either a sole and/or base of the boot, in order to adjustably tighten around the bottom, sides, and/or top of the wearer's midfoot to provide arch support and uniform snugness. The midfoot section is in a “hammock” type arrangement while the ball and heel portions of the wearer's foot rests on the footbed over the respective sole portions.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a piece of footwear is provided, comprising:

an ice skate boot having a heel portion and a spaced apart forefoot portion;

an ice skate blade member;

a discontinuous sole system extending along a lower portion of the ice skate boot, wherein the sole system includes a heel sole member and a forefoot sole member, wherein the heel sole member and the forefoot sole member are spaced apart and do not contact each other;

wherein the heel sole member is positioned only on an underside surface of the heel portion, a first portion of the ice skate blade member being fastened to the heel sole member;

wherein the forefoot sole member is positioned only on an underside surface of the forefoot portion, a second portion of the ice skate blade member being fastened to the forefoot sole member; and

a substantially flexible midfoot portion disposed between, and fastened to, the heel portion and forefoot portion, wherein the midfoot portion is soleless;

wherein an underside surface of the midfoot portion does not contact either the heel sole member, the forefoot sole member, or the ice skate blade member;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to receive a wearer's midfoot portion such that the midfoot portion envelopes an entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to be tightened around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion so as to conform the midfoot portion around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, a piece of footwear is provided, comprising:

a heel portion;

a discontinuous sole system including a heel sole member and a forefoot sole member, wherein the heel sole member and the forefoot sole member are spaced apart and do not contact each other;

wherein the heel sole member is positioned only on an underside surface of the heel portion;

a forefoot portion;

wherein the forefoot sole member is positioned only on an underside surface of the forefoot portion;

a substantially flexible midfoot portion disposed between, and fastened to, the heel portion and forefoot portion, wherein the midfoot portion is soleless; and

at least two connection members interconnecting the heel sole member to the forefoot sole member, wherein the at least two connection members are proximate to the underside surface of the heel portion and the underside surface of the forefoot portion;

wherein an underside surface of the midfoot portion does not contact either the heel sole member or the forefoot sole member;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to receive a wearer's midfoot portion such that the midfoot portion envelopes an entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to be tightened around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion so as to conform the midfoot portion around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion;

wherein the connection members are selectively operable to change an angular orientation of the forefoot portion relative to the heel portion such that the forefoot portion is operable to move horizontally leftward or rightward relative to the heel portion.

In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, a piece of footwear is provided, comprising:

an ice skate boot having a heel portion and a spaced apart forefoot portion;

a continuous sole member extending along a lower portion of the ice skate boot from the heel portion to the forefoot portion;

an ice skate blade member fastened to the heel portion and the forefoot portion; and

a substantially flexible midfoot portion disposed inside of the ice skate boot and suspended above the sole member such that no portion of the midfoot portion contacts the sole member;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to receive a wearer's midfoot portion such that the midfoot portion envelopes an entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to be tightened around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion so as to conform the midfoot portion around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to prevent the wearer's midfoot portion from contacting the sole member when the wearer's midfoot portion is received therein.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an ice skating boot, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an ice skating boot, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an ice skating boot, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of an ice skating boot, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an alternative ice skating boot, in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5, in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a second alternative ice skating boot, in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second alternative ice skating boot, in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, or uses.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an ice skating boot generally at 10. The boot 10 primarily includes a heel portion 100, a forefoot portion 200, and a midfoot portion 300 that is positioned between the heel portion 100 and the forefoot portion 200.

The midfoot portion 300 includes a substantially flexible midfoot member 302 that is flexibly attached to the heel portion 100 and the forefoot portion 200. That is, the midfoot portion 300 should not be comprised of a material that is so stiff so as to be difficult to manipulate around a wearer's midfoot so as to be drawn closer thereto, the significance of which will be described herein.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the flexible member 302 is not connected to either a sole and/or base of the boot 10. That is, only the heel portion 100 and the forefoot portion 200 are provided with sole portions 102, 202, respectively. In this manner, it is possible to adjustably tighten the midfoot member 302 (and only the midfoot member 302) around the bottom, sides, and/or top of the wearer's midfoot to provide arch support and uniform snugness. It should be appreciated that no part of the midfoot member 302 is intended to extend to the wearer's heel or forefoot portions. The midfoot member 302 is in a “hammock” type arrangement while the ball and heel of the wearer's foot may rest on the footbed over the sole portions 102, 202, respectively, of the heel portion 100 and the forefoot portion 200.

The midfoot member 302 may be comprised of any number of suitable materials, such as but not limited to soft leather, vinyl, various synthetic or natural rubbers, nylon, rayon, or any other workable fabrics or mixtures thereof, that can be made to tighten and conform around the wearer's midfoot uniformly and comfortably. The heel portion 100 and the forefoot portion 200 of the boot 10 as well as the sole portions 102, 202, respectively, can be comprised of the same materials as usually used for conventional boots.

In order to adjustably tighten the midfoot member 302 around the bottom, sides, and/or top of the wearer's midfoot to provide arch support and uniform snugness, the boot 10 and/or the midfoot member 302 may be provided with various fasteners 400, such as but not limited to laces, straps, belts, rings. VELCRO™ hooks and loops, hooks, snaps, latches, or any other suitable fasteners. By way of a non-limiting example, manipulation (e.g., “cinching’) of the fasteners 400 (e.g., tightening of laces connected to (or proximate to) the midfoot member 302 (e.g., on the left and right portions of the midfoot member 302)) may cause the midfoot member 302 to be drawn taut (or further taut) against the wearer's midfoot. e.g., in an upward and/or inward direction. It should be noted that only a portion of the fasteners 400 proximate to the midfoot member 302 are depicted in FIG. 3 for purposes of clarity of illustration.

As previously noted, the boot 10 includes a midfoot portion 300 that does not have a sole portion underneath it or associated therewith. In the case of an ice skating boot, the midfoot sole portion can be deleted or eliminated because the blade portion 500 would function to hold the heel portion 100 and the forefoot portion 200 together in a fixed relationship.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment, for those individuals that want continuous upper portions and sole portions extending along the entire length of the boot 10 from the heel portion to the forefoot portion, a sole portion 300 a and/or an upper portion 300 b (e.g., leather or other type of suitable footwear material) can be provided to provide for a substantially enclosed piece of footwear. e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. It should be appreciated that no part of the midfoot member 302 a is intended to extend to the wearer's heel or forefoot portions. In this manner, a substantially flexible midfoot member 302 a (and only the midfoot member 302 a) would be “suspended” in a hammock-like arrangement above, but not touching, the sole portion 300 a. The midfoot member 302 a may be fastened to the upper portion 300 b in any number of methods, including but not limited to stitching, laces, straps, belts, rings. VELCRO™ hooks and loops, hooks, snaps, latches, or any other suitable fasteners.

As with the previously described embodiment, the midfoot member 302 a may be comprised of any number of suitable materials, such as but not limited to soft leather, vinyl, various synthetic or natural rubbers, nylon, rayon, or any other workable fabrics or mixtures thereof, that can be made to tighten and conform around the wearer's midfoot uniformly and comfortably. Again, it should be appreciated that the midfoot portion 302 a should not be comprised of a material that is so stiff so as to be difficult to manipulate around a wearer's midfoot so as to be drawn closer thereto, the significance of which will be described herein.

As with the previously described embodiment, in order to adjustably tighten the midfoot member 302 a around the bottom, sides, and/or top of the wearer's midfoot to provide arch support and uniform snugness, the boot 10 and/or the midfoot member 302 a may be provided with various fasteners 400, such as but not limited to laces, straps, belts, rings, VELCRO™ hooks and loops, hooks, snaps, latches, or any other suitable fasteners. By way of a non-limiting example, manipulation (e.g., “cinching’) of the fasteners 400 (e.g., tightening of laces connected to the midfoot member 302 a (e.g., on the left and right portions of the midfoot member 302 a)) may cause the midfoot member 302 a to be drawn taut (or further taut) against the wearer's midfoot, e.g., in an upward and/or inward direction. It should be noted that only a portion of the fasteners 400 proximate to the midfoot member 302 a are depicted in FIG. 5 for purposes of clarity of illustration.

Thus, summarizing, and by way of a non-limiting example, the flexible midfoot portion may span the gap between the forefoot and heel portions, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1-4, or may be inserted (e.g., sewn in or otherwise attached) inside an otherwise conventionally made boot, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The present invention can also be practiced with other types of footwear other than ice skating boots. By way of a non-limiting example, the forefoot portion and the heel portion can be connected together via any number of suitable rigid connectors, such as but not limited to plates, rods, dowels, struts, and/or the like. In this case too, the flexible midfoot section is not rigidly connected to the sole or connectors that lie below it or are associated therewith, so as to allow the middle of the foot to be “suspended” in a hammock-like configuration relative to the forefoot portion and the heel portion of the piece of footwear.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a piece of footwear may be provided, such as but not limited to an ice skating boot, having a split sole allowing the front and back portions thereof to be fitted separately in a modular fashion, to the specific curvature and width of the wearer's foot. By way of a non-limiting example, the curvature of the wearer's foot is the angle from which the direction of the forefoot portion is offset from the heel portion direction.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 7 and 8, the forefoot portion of the boot may be set relative to the heel portion to match the wearer's foot curvature, and then fixed in place with permanent or temporary rigid connecting pieces 600, 602, respectively, fastening the forefoot portion 700 and heel portion 800 together. Although two connecting pieces 600, 602, respectively, are shown, it should be appreciated that either less than or more than this number of connecting pieces may be used in the practice of the present invention. By way of a non-limiting example, the connecting pieces 600, 602, respectively, are proximate to an underside surface of the heel portion 800 and an underside surface of the forefoot portion 700, e.g., so as not to be visible when in use.

In this manner, the orientation (e.g., left/right, inboard/outboard, and/or the like) of the forefoot portion of the boot may be changed relative to the heel portion, and vice versa, of the boot so as to provide a better fit for the wearer. This can be done because the midfoot portion 900 is substantially flexible and may be tightened closely to the wearer's foot (e.g., as previously described), or alternatively, the midfoot portion may be attached afterward. By way of a non-liming example, the connecting pieces 600, 602, respectively, can be removed, the forefoot portion 700 realigned relative to the heel portion 800, or vice versa, e.g., to the wearer's desire, and then the connecting pieces 600, 602, respectively, may be reinstalled, thus fixing the forefoot portion 700 relative to the heel portion 800, or vice versa, in a new orientation or alignment with each other.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A piece of footwear, comprising: an ice skate boot having a heel portion and a spaced apart forefoot portion; an ice skate blade member; a discontinuous sole system extending along a lower portion of the ice skate boot, wherein the sole system includes a heel sole member and a forefoot sole member, wherein the heel sole member and the forefoot sole member are spaced apart and do not contact each other; wherein the heel sole member is positioned only on an underside surface of the heel portion, a first portion of the ice skate blade member being fastened to the heel sole member, wherein the forefoot sole member is positioned only on an underside surface of the forefoot portion, a second portion of the ice skate blade member being fastened to the forefoot sole member; and a substantially flexible midfoot portion disposed between, and fastened to, the heel portion and forefoot portion, wherein the midfoot portion is soleless; wherein an underside surface of the midfoot portion does not contact either the heel sole member, the forefoot sole member, or the ice skate blade member; wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to receive a wearer's midfoot portion such that the midfoot portion envelopes an entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion; wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to be tightened around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion so as to conform the midfoot portion around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion.
 2. A piece of footwear, comprising: a heel portion; a discontinuous sole system including a heel sole member and a forefoot sole member, wherein the heel sole member and the forefoot sole member are spaced apart and do not contact each other; wherein the heel sole member is positioned only on an underside surface of the heel portion; a forefoot portion; wherein the forefoot sole member is positioned only on an underside surface of the forefoot portion; a substantially flexible midfoot portion disposed between, and fastened to, the heel portion and forefoot portion, wherein the midfoot portion is soleless; and at least two connection members interconnecting the heel sole member to the forefoot sole member, wherein the at least two connection members are proximate to the underside surface of the heel portion and the underside surface of the forefoot portion; wherein an underside surface of the midfoot portion does not contact either the heel sole member or the forefoot sole member; wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to receive a wearer's midfoot portion such that the midfoot portion envelopes an entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion; wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to be tightened around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion so as to conform the midfoot portion around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion; wherein the connection members are selectively operable to change an angular orientation of the forefoot portion relative to the heel portion such that the forefoot portion is operable to move horizontally leftward or rightward relative to the heel portion.
 3. A piece of footwear, comprising: an ice skate boot having a heel portion and a spaced apart forefoot portion; a continuous sole member extending along a lower portion of the ice skate boot from the heel portion to the forefoot portion; an ice skate blade member fastened to the heel portion and the forefoot portion; and a substantially flexible midfoot portion disposed inside of the ice skate boot and suspended above the sole member such that no portion of the midfoot portion contacts the sole member; wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to receive a wearer's midfoot portion such that the midfoot portion envelopes an entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion; wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to be tightened around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion so as to conform the midfoot portion around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion; wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to prevent the wearer's midfoot portion from contacting the sole member when the wearer's midfoot portion is received therein. 